Etihad Airways to operate daily service to Chengdu

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will increase the frequency of its Abu Dhabi – Chengdu service from five-flights-a-week to daily from 30 March 2014.

As one of the biggest
markets in China for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Chengdu has emerged as a
leading economic, transportation and communication centre for the Asian country,
with nearly half of the world’s Fortune 500 companies having operations in the
city.

Etihad Airways
launched its Chengdu service on 15 December 2011, offering the first and only
direct airline connection between the UAE and China’s Sichuan province, home to
a population of over 80 million. It is the third city to be served by Etihad
Airways in China, with daily flights also operated to the capital, Beijing, and
the country’s largest city by population, Shanghai.

Passenger volumes on
the Chengdu route increased by 25 per cent last year compared to 2012 levels,
while cargo and mail volumes were 19 per cent higher.

The flights are
operated using a two-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft with 22 Pearl Business
class and 240 Coral Economy class seats.

James Hogan,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “With consistent
double-digit growth in passenger and cargo volumes, Chengdu represents a great
opportunity. Operating a daily service will provide our guests with even more
convenient service to Abu Dhabi as well as key markets in the GCC, Middle East,
North Africa and Europe. In addition, our expanded service will further
stimulate economic growth between China and the UAE.”